Horses Aren't Cheap But Are YOU Making These Mistakes?

Sure! Horses are VERY expensive, as is every other sport in this world. But you can do alot of things to help cut costs. 

• Think! If you never lunge your horse, why are you boarding at a barn with a round pen? Your money is paying to keep that round pen clean (hiring employees and paying them) and keeping it maintained (putting sand/ground down, etc.) 
• Buy what you need! You see many horse people with MANY things they don't need. Get ONLY what you need and if you are already a "hoarder" of horse items then you are going to have to downsize. Maybe hold a horsey "garage" sale. You only need ONE OR TWO halters for each horse. NOT-- TWENTY. Also, why do you have a western saddle when you own a jumper? Mmmm, maybe it is time for a clean out of the tack room. Grab a bin and go into your tack room. Put everything that you want to sell into the bin.
• Something that you SHOULDN'T get cheap is boarding. Get a place with good footing and amenities. If they feed bad hay but are cheap it will just make it more expensive when your horse gets colic. Or, when your horse hurts his leg when jumping in the bad footing in the arena which will add up to a large vet bill. Don't DON'T DON'T DON'T cheap out on boarding. 
• Want to add up how much you spend?  http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/horse-expense-calculator.aspx

Long Time No See; Cold Weather Tips

Hello Everyone! Long time no see...
What a great year for horse lovers! I don't know about you but I'm loving this weather. Last year, I wasn't able to ride from November to April. It was snow, wet, rain, snow, snow, snow, rain, wet.. BLEH BLEH BLEH! But this year is so much different, I have been riding almost every week. And.. Wait for it... Tomorrow I am going trail riding. My barn has barely any place to trail ride so we don't trail ride. I have never been trail riding except for with 4h which was with another barn's horse. But, today I am going to be talking about stuff to do this winter. For alot of people, it is probably at least cold and maybe the ground is frozen..
Here is some tips:


*Tip #1* Wear many layers.. You don't need any fancy smancy $100 ariat 3 layer jacket.
For super cold weather:
Under Armour Long Sleeve Shirt
Some type of hat/beanie
Long sleeve shirt
Fleece jacket
Big rain coat/winter coat
Winter Boots/Or regular boots with the feet/hand warmer things and two pairs of socks
Winter Gloves *they are cheap and worth it*
Winter Breeches or Jeans/Or, put on thick leggings and thick breeches/jeans
 ********************************************************************
For Cold Weather:
Short Sleeve Under Armour Shirt
Hat or Ear Warmer
Fleece Jacket/Vest
Thin Rain Coat material type of coat
Boots with two pairs of socks
Winter Gloves/Regular Gloves *depends on how you're preference*
Breeches/Jeans
*********************************************************************
For Cool Weather:
Long Sleeve Under Armour Shit
Fleece Vest
Sweatshirt (If needed)
Boots
Gloves
Breeches/Jeans
*********************************************************************
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/tuffrider-ladies-snow-rider-tall-boots/E000924/
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/ssg-all-weather-winter-lined-gloves/SLT641458/
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/mountain-horse-element-micro-fleece/E004217/
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1001512-001
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1210665-100
*********************************************************************
*Tip #2* BLANKETS!! BLANKETS!! BLANKETS!! Have 2 or more blankets!
Have AT LEAST one "lightweight" blanket and one "heavyweight" blanket. 
You never know what the weather will be like. If it is medium weather outside but too cold to not have a blanket at all, you still want your horse to go outside/not freeze so that is when a "lightweight" blanket comes in. When it is super super cold and windy then the "heavyweight" blanket comes in. You don't have to get any fancy customized or rainbow or fancy smancy blanket.. just a nice protective blanket. Make sure the blanket fits good. 
**********************************************************************
*Tip #3* Exercising your horse can be hard in the winter but still needed. Sometimes it is snowing or freezing but you have to drag your freezing butt out to the barn. Put on your layers and get out their! Have some fun and ride bareback. It is cold to drag the saddle and stuff. Just go grab your horse and ride around bareback--you don't even have to take the blanket off. Or, lunge your horse. Maybe even work on your ground work. Teach your horse to back up by saying "back up" with no pressure on the lead. Or maybe teach your horse to bow. The possibilities are endless but your horse NEED exercise so it IS NOT something you can skip! 
************************************************************************
Bye for now,
L

Clipping Horses

It is that time of year again when you clip your horses! Many people do a simple body clip or something like that but I found some really interesting ones. 

Opinion: I think this is great! The lines are also nice and clean
and you can actually read this.

Opinion: This is a simple one. A name. I like this.

Opinion: Cute! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opinion: Defiantly not something you see everyday! It is spectacular, though.

Opinion: Nice, simple. Cute. Flag :)


As you can see, there is some great designs! Enjoy your clipping days with your horses.

Hickstead

I know this is a "little" late but I wanted to do this to honor this amazing horse. Hickstead died Nov. 6th 2011. His rider, Canadian Eric Lamaze is a olympic gold and silver medalist. He was owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables INC. He was a dutch warmblood born in 1996. He was 16hh. He is also bay.

It was November 6th. Eric and Hickstead were at a show in Verona, Italy. Shortly after their round he collapsed and died from a aortic rupture. He will be missed. He was truly an amazing horse and he was like nothing else. 

Frequenty Asked Horse Questions.

Here are some frequently asked horse questions. If you like this and have questions send me your question(s) to allthingshorsesblogger@gmail.com


What is the most important thing(s) for first time owners to know?
In terms of buying, know that you have to patient. Don't get all excited and choose the first horse you see. Take a good experienced horse person with you and if she/he approves--it is still a good idea to look around a little more but if it ends up that horse is the best--go from there. Don't buy green horses or young horses. Everyone wants that "cute" foal that they can train but later on you will regret it. Now, in terms of owning. Know basic horse care and make sure you took at least 2 years of riding lessons at a good stable. One of the most important to know is horses are expensive! The actual purchase price of the horse is the cheapest thing in horse ownership. You need to pay for:
saddle
bridle
blanket
halter
lead rope
brushes
board
vet
farrier
and much more!
if you own horses, sometime in your horsey life-- a horse will get colic or run through a fence where you'll have to have the vet come out and it is a good idea to have some money aside for emergencies like that. Horses are hard work.. know that.. and if you aren't willing to work hard or put much money into them.. then you shouldn't have a horse!


What can I do with my 1/2 old?
Groundwork is a important part of training. Work with your horse on the ground. Make him respect your space and tell him your the boss because when you start riding he will know YOUR the boss. Under saddle is also important. Get him used to lots of stuff. Have a experienced horse person hold your horse on a lunge line and use stuff like garbage bags and ride with one hand on the reins and one holding the garbage bag. Another good thing to do is ride with a flag, you might never have to do it again but at least when you go to a show and they do an opening ceremony and the flag is flapping he wont be freaking out (HOPEFULLY!). If you plan to show, take him to a couple shows and walk around. Maybe even ride him in the warm up ring. If he is doing good, you could enter him in a showmanship and/or halter class. Trot poles with him and do lots of bending exercises. If you plan to just trail ride, walk him on the trails or pony him from another horse. But remember, be patient and don't rush them into anything. If you are patient and introduce your horse to scary things, it will pay off.
How long do horses usually live?
Horses are like people and can pass at any time from disease,age, or whatever the case may be. But the average life span 20-30 years. However, the oldest horse to live was 62.
What is a stallion?mare?filly?colt?gelding?
People tend to refer to horses as stallions. Just because of the black "stallion" does not mean that stallion means horse!
Stallion- A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded (castrated) over the age of 3
Mare- A female horse can be castrated or not (BUT, if a horse is used for breeding--it is also called a broodmare) over the age of 3 *in thoroughbred racing-- it is over 4 years
Filly- A female horse under the age of 3 *in thoroughbred racing- it is under 4 years
Colt- A male horse under the age of 4
Gelding - A male horse that has been gelded (castrated) over the age of 3
Here are some more terms that describe horses that can be confused with genders
Yearlings-A yearling is a horse that is any gender and is between 1 and 2 years old.
Weanling- A weanling is a horse of any gender usually between the ages of 6 months and a year old that has just been weaned or taken from its mother.
Foal- A horse under the age of 1 of any gender.
What are hands? 
Hands are how we measure horses. It is equal to four inches. You measure from the ground to their withers (the "bump" where their mane ends)


NOW! IT'S TIME FOR ME TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!!!! EMAIL ME AT ALLTHINGSHORSESBLOGGER@GMAIL.COM WITH YOUR QUESTION(S)! I'll be happy to answer them right here on my blog!


Bye for now,
L 

Questions?

Have any horsey questions? From training to grooming to showing... to specific questions about your horse. ANYTHING! I'll answer them right here on my blog.
Email me at allthingshorsesblogger@gmail.com

Mistake by me; conformation?

Hello, Friends. I have made a mistake, shall we say. I have already done a best horse website post so.. look back back back back back back and you will find it. It is titled Horse Websites, I think. But I was looking through my Horse and Rider magazine(December Issue) that always have "Conformation Clinic". I thought, why don't I do a post on conformation (or confo). I was like.. I will. So here it is.

CONFORMATION

When you step into the ring at a halter class.. what does the judge think? Well, they look at your horse and his cleanliness but most importantly, they look at your horse's conformation. Conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other. In simple words, it is how your horse looks and if they fit together right. Is his neck high? low? is his shoulder too sloped? This is what halter is judged on.

See how this horse has bad conformation. He has no muscle in his neck, he isn't standing square, he has a weak hind end and various other faults

Now here is a horse with good conformation. See how he looks like he fits together.. He has muscle and is toned. He isn't standing square but he has a great overall body shape.

To learn more about conformation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_conformation

http://horses-arizona.com/pages/articles/conformation.html

http://www.equiworld.net/horses/horsecare/conformation/index.htm

BYE FOR NOW,

L

Black Friday Sales

long time, no post. I am hoping everyone has had a good, eh, two months. Anyway, we will be getting back into the swing of things with posts everyday. Happy Thanksgiving To All. Some upcoming posts will be the top 3 horse websites. I will have one forum, one shopping, and one virtual/play horse site. But back to this post. This is my black friday post..

Here are some horse related black friday sales/auctions:

Dear Filly- dear filly is holding an auction starting at 12 A.M. and if you want to put something in the auction email her before time runs out. http://www.facebook.com/dearfilly

HorseLoverz- They are having a variety of different sales. Some are..

Weatherbeeta Blanket And Sheet Collection Free Shipping

Hay Bags $8 Deluxe $12

Portable Collapsible Tack Trunk- $40

Gatbsy Square or Contour Saddle Pad- $13.95

Up to 50% off PERRI'S breeches

And much much much much more!

http://www.horseloverz.com/(if you keep reloading the page it will keep showing different sales)

Golden Shadow Custom HorseWear- http://goldenshadows.weebly.com/index.html 10% off till the 30th- Saddle Pads, Beaded Rhythm Beads and Mane Clips, Equipment Bags, And More

Bida's Horse Wares- http://bidashorsewares.weebly.com/wares-for-sale.html- Speed Beads And Mane Clips

Statelinetack- As always- great deals. $50 off $200.. $30 off $150.. $15 off $100.. Plus special deals on different brands. http://www.statelinetack.com/

Equestrian Collection- 70% off EVERYTHING! http://www.equestriancollections.com/

Chick's Saddlery- Discount on everything- another great deal- http://www.chicksaddlery.com/

123tack- http://www.123tack.com/ Lots of discounts also!
Legacy Tack- English Style Riding Site.. http://www.legacytack.com/

Saddle Online- 5% off your order and free shipping

http://www.saddleonline.com/

Horse N' AROUND https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horse-N-Around-Tack/177167755660022?sk=wall

Whinney Wear- Use code GOBBLE11 for 20% off everything http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhinneyWear?&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=App_Seller&utm_content=shops&utm_campaign=fb_seller_shop

Jeffers Equine- http://www.jeffersequine.com/jeffers-equine/camid/EQU/ca/134/

That is all for now.. enjoy black friday and shopping (hopefully)!

Sheath Cleaning

I found a great, funny article that makes sheath-cleaning not sound so bad. Enjoy!

MR. HAND-a beginner's guide to sheath cleaning:

1. Check to make sure there are no prospective boyfriends/girlfriends,
elderly neighbors, or brownie troops driving by in sight of the proceedings.
Though of course they're going to show up unexpectedly ANYWAY once
you're in the middle of things. Prepare a good explanation.

2. Trim your fingernails short. Assemble horse, hose, and your sense of humor
(plus, ideally, Excalibur cleanser and perhaps thin rubber gloves)

3. Use hose (or damp sponge) to get the sheath and it's inhabitant wet. Uh, that
is do this in a *civilized* fashion with due warning to the horse; he is apt to take
offense if an icy cold hose blasts unexpectedly into his personal regions :o)

4. Now introduce the horse to Mr. Hand. What I find safest is to stand facing the
horse's head, with my shoulder and hip snugly against the horse's thigh and hip so
that if he makes any suspicious move such as raising a leg, I can feel it right away
and am in any case pressed so close that all he can do is shove, not really kick. The
horse should be held by an assistant or by your free hand, NOT tied fast to a post or
to crossties. He may shift around a good bit if he's not happy with Mr. Hand's antics,
but don't be put off by that; as long as you are patient and gradual, and stick close to
his side, he'll get over it. Remember that it would be most unladylike of you to simply
make a direct grab for your horse's Part. Give the horse a clue about what's on the
program. Rest your hand against his belly, and then slide it back 'til you are entering
The Home of the Actual Private Part. When you reach this first region of your
destination, lube him up good with Excalibur or whatever you're using.

5. If the outer part of his sheath is really grungy you will feel little clods and nubblies
of smegma peeling off as you grope around in there. Patiently and gently expedite their
removal. Thus far, you have probably only been in the outer part of the sheath. The Part
itself, you'll have noticed is strangely absent. That's because it has retired shyly to its inner
chambers. Roll up them thar sleeves and follow in after it ;-)

6. As you and Mr. Hand wind your way deeper into the sheath, you will encounter what
feels like a small portal that opens up into a chamber beyond. Being attentive to your horse's
reaction, invite yourself in. You are now in the inner sanctum of The Actual Private Part. It's
hiding in there towards the back, trying to pretend it isn't there. Say hi and wave. No really,
work your finger back and forth around the sides of it. If the horse won't drop, this is your
only shot at removing whatever dried smegma is clinging to the surface of the Part itself. So,
gently explore around it, pulling out whatever crusty topsoil you find there. Use more water
and more Excalibur if necessary to loosen attached gunk.

7. When Mr. Hand and the Actual Private Part have gotten to know each other pretty well,
and the Part feels squeaky clean all around, there remains only one task: checking for, and
removing, the bean. The bean is a pale kidney-shaped accumulation of smegma in a small
pouch just inside the urethra. Not all horses accumulate a bean, but the majority do, even if
they have no visible external smegma. So: the equine urethra is fairly large in diameter, and
indeed will permit you to very gently insinuate one of your slimmer fingers inside the urethra
opening. Do so, and explore upwards for what will feel like a lump or "pea" buried no more
than, I dunno, perhaps 3/4 of an inch in from the opening. If you do encounter a bean, gently
and sympathetically persuade it out with your finger. This may require a little patience from
BOTH Mr. Hand AND the horse, but the horse will be happier and healthier once it's
accomplished. In the rare event that the bean is too enormous for your finger to coax out,
you might try what I did (in desperation) last month on the orange horse: Wrap thumb and
index finger around the end of the part and squeeze firmly to extrude the bean. Much to my
surprise, it worked and orange horse did NOT kill me for doing it and he does not seem to
have suffered any permanent damage as a result :-> I have never in my life seen another bean
that enormous though.

8. Now all that's left to do is make a graceful exit and rinse the area very thoroughly in apology
for the liberties you've taken. A hose will be much easier here to use than just a sponge and a
bucket. Make sure to direct the hose into the Part's inner retreat too, not merely the outer part
of the sheath. This may require you to enfold the end of the hose in your hand and guide it up
there personally.

9. Ta-da, you are done! Say, *good horsie* and feed him lots of carrots. Watch him make funny
faces at the way your hands smell. Hmmm ... well, perhaps there is ONE more step...

10. The only thing I know of that is at all effective in removing the lovely fragrance of smegma
from your hands (fingernails, arms, elbows, and wherever else it has gotten) is Excalibur. Even
then, if you didn't use gloves you may find you've got an unusual personal perfume for a while.
So, word to the wise, do NOT clean your horse's sheath just before an important job interview
or first date. And of course, there is that one FINAL step...

11. Figure out how to explain to your mother (or the kid from next door, or the meter reader, or
whoever else you've just realized has been standing in the barn doorway speechlessly watching the
entire process.

Love For Horses?

We all "Love" horses right? To non-lovers, we are crazy. Like when we talk to our horses. Not crazy to us "lovers" but to those other ones, we are like a car in a tree. We do so much for our horses & we might want a latte or a new outfit but instead our horse gets a blanket & a chiropractor. Some people think we are crazy to love horses so much. What other animal has been a important part of american history? They have pulled carts, carried us across the country, & so much more. Now they still are used on ranches for long-distance but also valued pets or even champion show horses. We risk our life for our LOVE. What can I say? I'm Addicted! This reminds me of something I wrote SO long ago when I was going to start a horse-riding journal.

Here it is:

Why I ride?

Sometimes, I ride to prove a point. Horse-back riding is a sport, fact not opinion. Sometimes, I ride to forget what is going on. Just to escape. Not a fun "hobby", its my passion. Sometimes in your life you have a promblem or a issue or whatever. You turn to someone or something to help you get over it. I just ride. But I ride mostly because I truly love it. I wasn't one kid who "liked" horses, and rode & thought this is "Fun". I thought "DANG! I don't want to leave this place". Truly, I love the "language". Your horse can't turn on you or be mean. Or accuse you. I love how even though your horse might buck or kick, ect. deep down he is only trying to save you, himself, and/or show you something. I realize horses are animals, we are basically animals, too. We ALWAYS have a reason! Sometimes it is because the horse's back hurt or for us, we bumped into someone because we were going to miss our plane. It is the most out of the world thing to communicate with animals like that! So here I present this journal , my journey, my passion,

MY HORSES

So there we are, my story. So now, sit down,close your eyes. Go ahead, do it. And think, why do I love horses.